Transcript of "Research Methodologies - Lecture 02"

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura University How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper Dr. Mohammed Elmogy Mansoura University Faculty of Computers & Information Sciences Department of Information Systems elmogy@gmail.com 11. October 2011How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 1

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura University How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 2

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityThe Typical Anatomy of a Paper How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 3

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura University How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperTitle and Authors Title is very descriptive (often states the main ﬁnding) and is not about being creative and catchy! Order of authors is important. What can you tell from it? Many PIs simply refer to work from other PIs’labs ... so as you keep a catalogue in your mind – DO associate work with lab.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 5

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityAbstract/Summary How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 6

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityAbstract/Summary How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperAbstract/Summary Purpose for the study. Major ﬁndings of the study. Relationship between these ﬁndings and the ﬁeld.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 7

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityIntroduction How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 8

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityIntroduction How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperIntroduction Presents the background information for a fellow scientist (possibly in another ﬁeld) to understand why the ﬁndings of this paper are signiﬁcant. Structure is usually: Accepted state of knowledge in the ﬁeld. Focus on a particular aspect of the ﬁeld, often the set(s) of data that led directly to the work of this paper. Hypothesis being tested. Conclusions (scientists don’t really like surprise endings!).How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 9

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityIntroduction How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperHow to Approach the Introduction Grab a blank piece of paper: Take notes. Draw mini ﬁgures. Deﬁne vocabulary (wikipedia is a quick reference). Answer these questions: What data led directly to the work of this paper? What is the hypothesis being tested? What are the basic conclusions? (Scientists don’t really like surprise endings and this is usually stated in the last paragraph.)How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 10

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityIntroduction How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperIntroduction (cont.) Notes Notes allow you to take a break (hours to days) and come back to your thoughts ... you won’t have to re-read the parts you completed.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 11

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityMaterials and Methods How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 12

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityMaterials and Methods How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperMaterials and Methods Should be detailed enough for another scientist to replicate the work (volumes, times, company material was purchased from etc.) In reality, often compressed and you may need to look up another paper that is referenced for more detail.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 13

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityMaterials and Methods How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperMaterials and Methods (cont.)Should you read the materials and methods? Often you can skim over them before the results. However, when you get to the results, you will need to ﬂip back to them often to clarify how experiment was done. Sample number? (Did they do this more than once?) Conditions? (Am I looking at a reduced or non-reduced protein gel?)How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 14

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityResults How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 15

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityResults How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperResults While the introduction poses the questions being asked, the results describes the outcome of the experiments that were done to answer the questions. Results are often simply stated with interpretation of them coming later in the discussion. Figures and tables allow the reader to see the outcomes of the experiments for themselves!How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 16

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityResults How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperResults (cont.)How to read the results Read the text straight through, but as a ﬁgure is referred to, examine the ﬁgure. Take notes, giving yourself a place to refer to about each ﬁgure. With each experiment/ﬁgure you should be able to explain. the basic procedure. the question it sought to answer. the results. the conclusion. criticisms.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 17

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityDiscussion How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 18

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityDiscussion How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperDiscussion Data is analyzed to show what the authors believe the data show. (You don’t have to agree with their interpretations!) Findings are related to other ﬁndings in the ﬁeld (contribute to knowledge, correct errors, etc.)– How is this work signiﬁcant?How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 19

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityDiscussion How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperDiscussion (cont.)How to Read a Discussion Take notes and answer these questions: What conclusions do the authors draw? Be sure to separate fact from their opinion/interpretation? Describe for yourself why these data signiﬁcant. (Does it contribute to knowledge or correct errors?)How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 20

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityReﬂections and Criticisms How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 21

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityReﬂections and Criticisms How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperReﬂections and Criticisms Do you agree with the authors’ rationale for setting up the experiments as they did? Did they perform the experiments appropriately? (Repeated a number of times, used correct control groups, used appropriate measurements etc) Were there enough experiments to support the one major ﬁnding they are claiming?How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 22

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityReﬂections and Criticisms How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperReﬂections and Criticisms (cont.) Do you see patterns/trends in their data that are problems that were not mentioned? Do you agree with the authors’ conclusions from these data? Are they over-generalized or too grand? Or are there other factors that they neglect that could have accounted for their data? What further questions do you have? What might you suggest they do next?How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 23

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityTips for Success How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperOutline The Typical Anatomy of a Paper Abstract/Summary Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Reﬂections and Criticisms Tips for SuccessHow to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 24

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityTips for Success How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperTips for Success Spend a lot of time on each paper NOW look up every detail that you are unsure of. (Time you invest now will payoﬀ in the long run). Discovering the answers for yourself is one of the best ways to learn and have the information be retained. Imagine yourself teaching the paper or ﬁgures to classmates—teaching something to others is also another great way to learn.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 25

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityTips for Success How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperTips for Success (cont.) Start a database of procedures that you take the time to look up and teach to yourself. What are some of the common procedures that are used in various papers? (e.g. western, immunoblots, RT-PCR, apoptosis assays, yeast two hybrids, etc.) IWatch others in your lab experiences and ﬁnd out what they are doing. . . you may never get the opportunity to do RT-PCR, but the more you understand the procedure, the more critical you can be of data you need to interpret.How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 26

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CIS Faculty Department of Information Systems Mansoura UniversityTips for Success How to Read a Scientiﬁc PaperTips for Success (cont.) Read papers when you are awake and interested in reading. If you are going to break up a paper and read it over several days be sure to summarize before continuing each day. If you are already in the ﬁeld you plan to stay in, consider starting a database on papers that relate to your lab/project. You will want to be able to impress your P.I. with your quick analysis and summary of a monumental paper from another lab!How to Read a Scientiﬁc Paper 27